Chronograph: what is it and what is it for?

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Chronograph: what is it and what is it for?
Chronograph: what is it and what is it for?

Video: Chronograph: what is it and what is it for?

Video: Chronograph: what is it and what is it for?
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Since ancient times, man has tried to master time, measure it and somehow, if not control, then at least streamline it. For these purposes, calendars, various time systems, solar, water and sand, as well as modern electronic, mechanical and quartz clocks were invented. Thanks to them, a person can define himself and his life in the infinite time space of the vast Universe. Chronograph - what is it? This is also a device that allows you to measure time. How is it different from regular watches? How did it appear and how to use it? That's what we're talking about today.

Invention Story

chronograph what is it
chronograph what is it

If we take the entire history of watchmaking as a segment, then the invention of the chronograph will be at its very end. The first device similar to it, which allows you to pinpoint time intervals, was invented in 1821. It was connected with the growing popularity of horse racing. The thing is that in those days the winner of the races was determined only "by eye". The creator of the movement, which became the "father" of the modern chronograph, was a fan of equestrian sports Nicholas-Matthew Ryussak. At the races, a new device similar to our chronograph was presented and tested for the first time. What was it then? A watch-like mechanism with a small inkwell at the end of the second hand. When the hand stopped, a small dot remained on the dial.

The inventors did not stop there, and wrist chronographs soon saw the light of day. They were created by an Englishman, watchmaker Georg Graham - they were ordinary wristwatches, with the help of which it was possible to measure time intervals with an accuracy of 1/16 sec. Also in the 18th century, devices similar to modern stopwatches first appeared.

What is this?

wrist chronographs
wrist chronographs

So, chronograph - what is it? This is a clock with a time setting function. To be more precise, the chronograph is a special additional mechanism built into the watch. This is its difference from the stopwatch, which is a separate device without a dial and has only a second hand.

The chronograph is a wheel mechanism controlled by levers. It can be a separate module in a wrist watch or built into the main movement (both quartz and mechanical).

Types of chronographs

Also, these devices can be simple or summing. With the first option, everything is clear - they launched,stopped, reset the result. But the summing chronograph - what is it? It is controlled by two buttons (rather than one, as simple) and is the most common.

how to use the chronograph
how to use the chronograph

How to use a summing type chronograph? Everything is very simple: the first button is responsible for starting and stopping the mechanism. You can stop the mechanism an infinite number of times. At the last stop of the mechanism, the chronograph will count the sum of all the time intervals. The second button is needed to reset the readings to zero.

There are also single and double hand split chronographs. The latter has two second hands and an additional third button. This allows you to detect two time periods at once and stop one of the arrows, regardless of the movement of the other. The split chronograph is the latest invention.

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